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New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs preview

New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis, left, fouls Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the final minutes of their game at the New Orleans Arena on Friday, November 22, 2013. (Photo by Chris Granger, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune)

Pelicans
scouting report: The Pelicans are riding the highs that come along with a
three-game winning streak. Their latest win came courtesy of a 23-7 run to
close out a 104-100 come-from-behind victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Spurs,
however, present a much tougher challenge for the Pelicans than any team New
Orleans has played this season.

In order for
the Pelicans to have success against the Spurs, they will need to play an
up-tempo game, using the athleticism advantages they have at power forward with
Davis and reserve swingman Tyreke Evans.

The Pelicans
have shown they can be a formidable squad when they are running and playing at
a swift pace. But their half court offense has left something to be desired.

Spurs scouting
report:
The Spurs are a veteran squad that hasn't missed a beat from last season when
they advanced to the NBA Finals before losing to the Miami Heat in seven games.

Riding an 10-game
winning streak -- including Saturday night's impressive 126-96 win against the
Cavaliers, one day after the Pelicans rallied to beat the Cavs – the Spurs have
been splendid defensively. Their 12-1 mark is the best star in franchise history.

The Spurs
defense makes it extremely difficult for opposing teams to execute offensively,
as the Spurs are exceptional on-ball and team defenders.

The Spurs are
allowing just 89.8 points a game, and just one opponent has scored more than
100 points – the Portland Trail Blazers, who handed the Spurs their only loss
with a 115-105 win on Nov. 2.

Key matchup: Davis
vs. Duncan. If indeed Davis is truly ready to take over as the NBA's best power
forward, he'll have to prove it against Duncan, a 14-time All Star with four
NBA titles and two MVP awards.

Davis is off
to a splendid start, but Duncan remains capable of outdueling younger and more
athletic players.

In three games
against New Orleans last season, Duncan averaged 17.3 points and 9.7 rebounds
while shooting 55 percent from the field.

Davis
certainly didn't back down, averaging 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds while
shooting 55.6 percent in the four games against the Spurs last season.

Who's hot: Holiday.
Along with taking over a leadership role on the team, Holiday's play on the
court continues to improve.

During the
preseason, Holiday had trouble taking care of the basketball and was plagued by
turnovers. But during the Pelicans three-game winning streak, Holiday has taken
care of the ball, while adding scoring and playmaking.

In the last
three games, Holiday is averaging 14.3 points and nine assists, while shooting
54.5 percent from the field. He also has just seven turnovers during the
winning streak.

For the Spurs,
Green, the sharpshooting guard, is coming off an impressive showing against
Cavaliers. Green scored 17 points against the Cavaliers, making five of seven
3-pointers.

In the Spurs'
last four games, Green has made 10 of 16 3-pointers.

Who's not: Aminu. The
fourth-year small forward hasn't been able to find his niche offensively yet.
And in Friday's win against the Cavaliers, Aminu played just 16 minutes, a
season low.

In the
Pelicans last two games, he's scored a total of eight points on 3-of-9
shooting. He has contributed 14 rebounds in those games, however.

Injury report: Pelicans
center Greg Stiemsma is out with a left knee sprain. And Pelicans reserve
forward Darius Miller (foot) is out until December.

Spurs forward
Boris Diaw (bruised rib) is questionable.

Notes: The Pelicans'
three-game winning streak is their longest of the season. The Pelicans are 1-4
on the road this season. The Spurs are 6-0 at home. ... Davis is tied for eighth
in the NBA with seven double-doubles. ... Six of the last seven Spurs victories
have been by more than 10 points. ... Opponents are shooting just 42.8 percent
from the field against the Spurs. Spurs reserve guard Marco Belinelli played
for New Orleans from 2010-2012.